Arbitrary spin-to–orbital angular momentum conversion of light

• Autores: Robert C. Devlin, Antonio D'Ambrosio, Noah A. Rubin
• Localización: Science, ISSN 0036-8075, Vol. 358, Nº 6365, 2017, págs. 896-901
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Optical elements that convert the spin angular momentum (SAM) of light into vortex beams have found applications in classical and quantum optics. These elements—SAM-to–orbital angular momentum (OAM) converters—are based on the geometric phase and only permit the conversion of left- and right-circular polarizations (spin states) into states with opposite OAM. We present a method for converting arbitrary SAM states into total angular momentum states characterized by a superposition of independent OAM. We designed a metasurface that converts left- and right-circular polarizations into states with independent values of OAM and designed another device that performs this operation for elliptically polarized states. These results illustrate a general material-mediated connection between SAM and OAM of light and may find applications in producing complex structured light and in optical communication.